Families urged to use playgrounds safely

We are urging families across Reading to keep coronavirus safety is at the forefront of their visits to local playgrounds, in the wake on the ongoing increase in the virus locally.

The latest stats show coronavirus is still spreading rapidly in Reading. Our infection rate per 100,000 for the week up to 8th Jan was 802.3 – that is up from 548.9 the previous week and 221.9 in mid-December.

Playgrounds across Reading remain open at present, as per national guidance – and we are keen to ensure children and families can continue to benefit from playground facilities during the lockdown. We know being outdoors is good for mental and physical health, and with all the current restrictions in place, kids and parents really benefit from outdoor spaces where they can get some energy out. However, this needs to be balanced against the risks and requires everyone to take responsibility for using playgrounds in as safe a manner as possible.

When using playgrounds, people are strongly encouraged to closely follow coronavirus safety advice, to help avoid the spread of the virus. Anyone who should be isolating, or displaying Covid-19 symptoms (cough, high temperature or loss of smell or taste), must stay at home and not visit a play area. Other advice includes:

• take hand sanitiser, and wash your hands before and after use as soon as you can
• try to maintain a 2m distance from others at all times
• if the playground is busy, please consider coming back when it is quieter
• try to wipe down surfaces before and after use to minimise the spread of the virus on surfaces
• put your rubbish in litter bins or take your litter home

We are also reminding people that outdoor facilities - such as outdoor gyms, tennis and sports courts - are currently closed to prevent the spread of the virus, following national lockdown restrictions. People are asked to respect this closure and refrain from using these facilities.